Clik here to view.
Snow Volcano – Baking Soda Volcano
We gathered up the last remaining bits of snow this afternoon to make a Baking Soda Volcano using snow! I piled up a heap of snow around a small glass jar, making the top of the snow level with the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why does pineapple stop jelly setting?
When making some jelly last week, I noticed the packet said it wouldn’t set if pineapple, kiwi or papaya were added to it. We decided to find out why pineapple stops jelly setting. If you love science...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to grow sugar crystals
Growing sugar crystals is a great experiment for kids as you can observe the results over a few days and watch how the crystals form on lolly sticks. Who doesn’t love science you can eat? To make it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sugar Cube Absorbing Experiment
We’ve looked at how objects absorb water before using sponges, underpants and even the good old walking water experiment. Today we’re trying an absorbing experiment with a twist and trying to halt the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
10 AMAZING Baking Soda Experiments
Baking soda experiments or activities are a great, safe and easy way to introduce the concept of a chemical reaction to children. Baking soda is alkaline and reacts with acids such as vinegar,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bicycle Centrifuge
I remember the first time I saw a centrifuge in a lab and thinking how clever it was. Centrifuges can be used to separate mixtures, by spinning them at very high speeds. Liquids that are more dense...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Mixtures for Kids
What is a Mixture? A mixture is a substance in which two or more substances are mixed but not chemically joined together, meaning that a chemical reaction has not taken place. Mixtures can be easily...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Creepy density demonstration for Halloween
Welcome to our Halloween density demonstration. Density sounds complicated but is actually a very cool concept to explore and leads to lots of fun, creative science opportunities, too. The image below...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The science of pancakes
One of the easiest ( and tastiest ) ways to introduce science at home is in the kitchen. If you’re a regular reader, you’ve probably already seen my huge kitchen science round-up post. Pancakes are a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Paper Chromatography Experiment
This simple paper chromatography experiment is a great way to learn about this particular method of separating mixtures. WHAT IS CHROMATOGRAPHY? Chromatography is a technique used to separate...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Walking on oobleck
Did you know you can walk on oobleck? A couple of years ago, my children took part in a fun race called Mini Mudder. One of the obstacles was a huge tray of cornflour oobleck which everyone loved, so...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to make a red cabbage pH indicator
Red cabbage indicator is a simple way to tell whether a substance is an acid or alkali. Acids can be found in the food we eat, in our bodies and around the home. Some acids, especially those found in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Red Cabbage Experiments
What can you do with red cabbage? Firstly, you could eat it? Boil it, make coleslaw or stew it with apples, or how about some red cabbage science experiments? To make red cabbage indicator all you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Easy Chemistry Experiments for Kids
When I think back to my own childhood and school days, I don’t remember any chemistry experiments until secondary school, which is a shame because there are so many wonderfully visual easy chemistry...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Science Activities to Teach Kids About Pollution
Find out what pollution is, why it’s harmful, and how we can reduce it with these simple but effective science activities to teach kids about pollution. They are all great for teaching kids about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is the Avogadro Constant?
The Avogadro Constant is used to find the number of particles in a substance. What is the Avogadro Constant? The Avogadro Constant is 6.02 x 1023 What is a mole? One mole of a substance is the amount...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pancake Syrup Viscosity Experiment
I usually do this viscosity experiment using lots of different liquids such as water, oil, ketchup and treacle. This version is a special syrup filled investigation for pancake day! The idea is that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What are single use plastics?
Single use plastics are plastic items that are designed to be used just once. Things like food packaging, straws and water bottles are all single use items. Around half the plastic thrown away is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Classic Chemistry Experiments for Kids
If you enjoy making things fizz, pop and bang you’ll love these classic chemistry experiments! Make a rocket, an exploding bag, write secret messages and lots more!Chemistry experiments are some of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is an atom?
Everything is made of atoms. Atoms are really, really small and are actually made up of even smaller particles called electrons, protons and neutrons. Atoms are not all the same. They have different...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is an element?
An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into another substance. Each element is made up of its own type of atom! The periodic table lists elements in order of atomic number and is laid...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is an isotope?
Isotopes are different forms of the same element. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons and electrons but a different number of neutrons. This means they have the same atomic number (...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Red Cabbage Indicator Breath test
Next time you boil up some red cabbage, make sure you save the liquid as it can be used for lots of easy science experiments. This red cabbage breath test is a fun twist on the more traditional...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How do batteries work?
Batteries are used to power toys, torches and other items that need energy to work. Batteries store energy as chemical energy which is converted into electrical energy when the battery is part of a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is an acid?
An acid is a substance with a PH of less than 7. The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A neutral substance such as pure water has a pH of 7! Acids form H+ ions in water. The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter. Matter is basically anything that occupies space and has mass! We use chemistry everyday and everywhere. When you bake a cake the ingredients are chosen, measured and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kitchen Chemistry for Kids
The kitchen is a great place to try some science! Kitchen chemistry experiments are some of the easiest and most fascinating activities you can try at home. They also use products you probably already...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Using red cabbage indictor to test pH
If you’re thinking of trying a science activity at home for the first time, or are a more seasoned kitchen scientist, red cabbage indicator is perfect! The humble red cabbage is great for making...
View ArticleClik here to view.
5 Science Experiments you can do with a lemon
Lemons are a small, yellow citrus fruit that taste sour, smell good and can be used for lots of very simple science experiments as they are acidic. I’ve collected 5 of my favourite science experiments...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is sublimation?
Sublimation is when a solid becomes a gas without turning into a liquid first. There are three states of matter. Adding or removing energy from a substance can change the state it is in. For example...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Easy Density Experiments and Tricks for Kids
Density can be a tricky concept to grasp. Density refers to how much mass there is in a particular space. Imagine a drawer full of socks. It has a specific density. Suppose you take a sock out, the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Convection Currents Made Easy
When part of a liquid or gas is heated, it expands and becomes less dense. The warmer, less dense liquid rises upwards, and the cooler liquid falls to take its place. This cycle of a liquid or gas...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Hot and Cold Water Density Experiment
This easy science activity demonstrates the difference in density between hot and cold water. It can be a bit messy so I would either do it outside or put the jars in a tray. The demonstration works...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New York – Why is the Statue of Liberty Green?
Today’s post is part of my United States of Science series. The idea is you print a map of the USA and colour each state as you learn about it with a fun science activity. New York New York City in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Super Salt Lava Lamp
This simple salt lava lamp is a fun twist on the more traditional homemade lava lamp that uses a fizzy tablet. The salt lava lamp doesn’t look quite a good, and isn’t as reusable but is still a nice...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Colourful Jar Experiment
This lovely, colourful science experiment is super easy to set up and carry out but looks amazing! As well as being fun to watch it’s also great for learning about density ( the oil layer floats on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Burping Balloons
If you eat or drink too quickly you might find you burp! Burping is how extra gas is expelled from the body. The gas is forced out of the stomach up the oesophagus and out of the mouth! These burping...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Candy Cane Experiment – dissolving candy canes
This dissolving candy canes activity is a great science activity for before Christmas when the festivities are in full swing or after Christmas to use up any leftover candy canes. The idea is to place...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to make pH indicator with a poinsettia
Do you know you can make a pH indicator with the red leaves from a poinsettia plant? Red poinsettia leaves contain anthocyanins which change colour in the presence of acids or alkalis. Acids have a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to make a lava lamp
Do you know how to make a lava lamp? DIY lava lamps are one of our favourite science experiments as they are super simple to make, can be used over and over again and you can be as creative as you...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Magic Milk Science Experiment
This easy magic milk science investigation is fantastic fun for kids of all ages. All you need is whole milk, food colouring and a little dish soap to create crazy colour explosions. Older children...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to lift an ice cube with a string
This science experiment using ice and salt is a fantastic demonstration of why salt is used to de-ice roads. It’s also a fun science magic trick! When salt is spread on the road in winter, it...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is freezing point depression?
Freezing point depression is when a substance lowers the freezing point of another substance. One example of this is adding salt to water. A solution of salt and water has a lower freezing point than...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Science Experiments you can do in a Jar
Here at Science Sparks, we try to make science as easy and accessible as possible. When I ask people why they don’t do more science at home with children, one of the answers is usually that science...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Explosive Science Experiments for Kids
Is there anything more fun than an explosive science experiment? This collection of explosive, fizzy and sometimes messy science activities is sure to appeal to even the most reluctant little...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Move a wire through ice – ice cutting experiment
Ice is great for lots of science experiments and investigations. It’s cheap, easy to make and always fun to experiment with. Today, we are going to try a cool science trick where a wire cuts through...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is the Periodic Table?
The Periodic Table is a table of all the elements we know about today. Elements are placed in order of atomic number ( number of protons in the nucleus ). The periodic table is a way of listing and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Brief History of the Atom
Atoms are tiny particles of matter which make up everything in the universe. Everything you see is made up of atoms. Scientists spent many years trying to understand the structure of the atom, with...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is the pH Scale?
The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. It ranges between 0 and 14. Acids have a pH of less than 7. Alkalis ( or bases ) have a pH of over 7. pH 7 is neutral. How is pH measured?...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
Diamond is the hardest natural substance on Earth. Why is diamond so strong? Diamond is made up of a network of carbon atoms that each form four strong covalent bonds. The strong bonds take a lot of...
View Article
